Billy Graham |
Billy Graham, byname of William Franklin Graham, Jr., (born November 7, 1918, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.—died February 21, 2018, Montreat, North Carolina), American evangelist whose large-scale preaching missions, known as crusades, and friendship with numerous U.S. presidents brought him to international prominence. In 1936 he left his father’s dairy farm to attend Bob Jones College (now Bob Jones University), then located in Cleveland, Tennessee, but stayed for only a semester because of the extreme fundamentalism of the institution. He transferred to Florida Bible Institute (now Trinity College), near Tampa, graduated in 1940, and was ordained a minister by the Southern Baptist Convention. Convinced that his education was deficient, however, Graham enrolled at Wheaton College in Illinois. While at Wheaton, he met and married (1943) Ruth Bell, daughter of L. Nelson Bell, a missionary to China.
October 30, 2023:
How the Strident Support of Evangelical Christians to Israel Undermines the Palestine Cause
Building on the work of influential American preachers like D.L. Moody in the 19th century, a number of high-profile American evangelists and Bible teachers of the 20th century like Billy Graham, G. Douglas Young, John Hagee, Arnold T. Olson, Jerry Falwell Sr., Pat Robertson, Hal Lindsey, among others further helped in its spread. Some of them even served as advisors and counsellors to US presidents. For instance, Falwell, Robertson, and Lindsey were part of many of the official programmes held at the White House during Ronald Reagn’s era. Even Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the staunchest supporters of Israel and Christian Zionism. Of all, Billy Graham – who was a towering figure in the American evangelical firmament and whose ‘crusades’ were attended by hundreds of thousands around the world, including in India – was that “proverbial sun around which much of postwar evangelical-Jewish relations orbited”. As someone who is said to have known every US president from Harry Truman to Barack Obama, Graham used his clout to garner support for the Zionist cause.
Many believe that it was Graham who played a major role in the background persuading President Nixon to airlift the largest amount of aid in US history to send enormous shipments of tanks, jet fighters, and ammunition to help Israel in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. In the initial days of that war, it seemed the young Jewish state would not survive the double-front war launched by Egypt and Syria but for the support from the US.
(Vikram Mukka/The Wire)
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Building on the work of influential American preachers like D.L. Moody in the 19th century, a number of high-profile American evangelists and Bible teachers of the 20th century like Billy Graham, G. Douglas Young, John Hagee, Arnold T. Olson, Jerry Falwell Sr., Pat Robertson, Hal Lindsey, among others further helped in its spread. Some of them even served as advisors and counsellors to US presidents. For instance, Falwell, Robertson, and Lindsey were part of many of the official programmes held at the White House during Ronald Reagn’s era. Even Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the staunchest supporters of Israel and Christian Zionism. Of all, Billy Graham – who was a towering figure in the American evangelical firmament and whose ‘crusades’ were attended by hundreds of thousands around the world, including in India – was that “proverbial sun around which much of postwar evangelical-Jewish relations orbited”. As someone who is said to have known every US president from Harry Truman to Barack Obama, Graham used his clout to garner support for the Zionist cause.
Many believe that it was Graham who played a major role in the background persuading President Nixon to airlift the largest amount of aid in US history to send enormous shipments of tanks, jet fighters, and ammunition to help Israel in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. In the initial days of that war, it seemed the young Jewish state would not survive the double-front war launched by Egypt and Syria but for the support from the US.
(Vikram Mukka/The Wire)
Read More>>>>>
Our world today is looking for men and women with integrity, for communicators who back up their ministry with their lives. Our preaching emerges out of what we are. We are called to be holy people separated from the moral evils of the world.
– Billy Graham
"The strength for our conquering and victory is drawn continually from Christ. The Bible does not teach that sin is completely eradicated from the Christian in this life, but it does teach that sin shall no longer reign over you. The Strength and power of sin have been broken. The Christian now has the resources available to live above and beyond this world. It is like the little girl who said that when the devil came knocking with a temptation, she just sent Jesus to the door."
– Billy Graham
April 17, 2023: Christian Post: George Verwer, evangelist and founder of OM International, dies at age 84
A native of New Jersey, Verwer was born in 1938 and became a born-again Christian in his teenage years after attending a rally led by the Rev. Billy Graham in New York City.
A native of New Jersey, Verwer was born in 1938 and became a born-again Christian in his teenage years after attending a rally led by the Rev. Billy Graham in New York City.
Nov 8, 2022: Baptist Press: New Billy Graham archive opens on the late evangelist’s birthday
On Monday, (Nov. 7), the birthday of the late evangelist, a new archive opened nearly 800 miles south of Wheaton College, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Graham’s birthplace. The 30,000-square-foot state-of-the-art research center brings together videos, cassettes, films, newspaper clippings, sermon notes, correspondence and a lifetime of memorabilia from Graham’s career, which began with a sermon at a Florida Baptist church in 1937.
On Monday, (Nov. 7), the birthday of the late evangelist, a new archive opened nearly 800 miles south of Wheaton College, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Graham’s birthplace. The 30,000-square-foot state-of-the-art research center brings together videos, cassettes, films, newspaper clippings, sermon notes, correspondence and a lifetime of memorabilia from Graham’s career, which began with a sermon at a Florida Baptist church in 1937.
April 11, 2022: Texas Monthly: How a Texas Monthly Writer Wound Up Writing Billy Graham’s Biography
William Martin’s journey from Rice professor to Billy Graham expert began with a simple assignment, one that would alter his life for decades to come.
William Martin’s journey from Rice professor to Billy Graham expert began with a simple assignment, one that would alter his life for decades to come.
Oct 11, 2021: American Reporter: Impacting the World through Books: Introducing Byron Williamson
In 1988 Worthy Publishing was sold to Word, Inc., a CapCities/ABC company, now part of The Walt Disney Company. Currently located in Las Colinas, Texas, Williamson moved into the leadership of Word, managing the growth of Word Books from $19 million to $72 million by fiscal 1999. First, he recruited a team that successfully published such authors as Billy Graham, Max Lucado, Charles R. Swindoll, Nolan Ryan, Os Guinness, Dr. James C. Dobson, Charles Colson, and the MacArthur Study Bible, as well as completing the Communicator’s Commentary series and the Word Biblical Commentaries series. Progressing further, in December 1992, Word was acquired by Thomas Nelson, located in Nashville, TN. Soon after that, Nelson was listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), and Williamson was named President of Thomas Nelson and Word. The new management team drove sales from $128 to $173 million by fiscal 1999. Then, step by step, he converted WordKids into Tommy Nelson children’s books and recruited Jack Countryman to launch J. Countryman gift books.
In 1988 Worthy Publishing was sold to Word, Inc., a CapCities/ABC company, now part of The Walt Disney Company. Currently located in Las Colinas, Texas, Williamson moved into the leadership of Word, managing the growth of Word Books from $19 million to $72 million by fiscal 1999. First, he recruited a team that successfully published such authors as Billy Graham, Max Lucado, Charles R. Swindoll, Nolan Ryan, Os Guinness, Dr. James C. Dobson, Charles Colson, and the MacArthur Study Bible, as well as completing the Communicator’s Commentary series and the Word Biblical Commentaries series. Progressing further, in December 1992, Word was acquired by Thomas Nelson, located in Nashville, TN. Soon after that, Nelson was listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), and Williamson was named President of Thomas Nelson and Word. The new management team drove sales from $128 to $173 million by fiscal 1999. Then, step by step, he converted WordKids into Tommy Nelson children’s books and recruited Jack Countryman to launch J. Countryman gift books.
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Sept 24, 2021: Missions Box: A Personal Side of Dr. Billy Graham You Haven’t Heard
Billy Graham asked his close friend of 10 years, Don Wilton, to be his pastor and what followed was a privileged 25 years of sitting at the feet of one of God’s pillar servants—nurturing a friendship and seeing a personal side of Billy that most people have never known, until now. “My relationship with Mr. Graham is close to my heart and humbling for me. It was a very unlikely friendship and how it happened is only by the grace of God,” shares Don |
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July 6, 2021: Edge Media Network: Franklin Graham Ends Pride Month with Homophobic Message
When Graham's father, evangelist Billy Graham died in 2018, he was hailed by ex-President George Bush as "America's preacher." "(Billy) Graham's accomplishments are, without doubt, legion. The widely cited estimate that he preached to some 215 million people is likely in the ballpark," wrote Politico at the time of his death in 2018.
When Graham's father, evangelist Billy Graham died in 2018, he was hailed by ex-President George Bush as "America's preacher." "(Billy) Graham's accomplishments are, without doubt, legion. The widely cited estimate that he preached to some 215 million people is likely in the ballpark," wrote Politico at the time of his death in 2018.
Sept 6, 2020: Henderson Lightning: Cawthorn, Davis swap charges on character, white nationalism, military service
Davis responded: “Well, I spent 25-years in uniform defending your right to say what you want and to practice your religion the way that you want. To me it is not very Christian to attack another Christian’s faith. I am not a fan of Franklin Graham. … I was a big believer in Billy Graham, I’ve got his books at home at my house and I have read them and I respect him greatly. … Franklin Graham has made himself one of the richest 1%, taking $1 million a year off the top from money people have given to do the lord’s work. That’s not the bible I grew up with. So, no, I am no fan of Franklin Graham, but I am a firm believer in religious conviction and religious faith and I defend the right of everyone to practice the way that they believe.
Davis responded: “Well, I spent 25-years in uniform defending your right to say what you want and to practice your religion the way that you want. To me it is not very Christian to attack another Christian’s faith. I am not a fan of Franklin Graham. … I was a big believer in Billy Graham, I’ve got his books at home at my house and I have read them and I respect him greatly. … Franklin Graham has made himself one of the richest 1%, taking $1 million a year off the top from money people have given to do the lord’s work. That’s not the bible I grew up with. So, no, I am no fan of Franklin Graham, but I am a firm believer in religious conviction and religious faith and I defend the right of everyone to practice the way that they believe.
Feb 21, 2018: Albuquerque Journal: Duke City remembers ‘commanding presence’ of Billy Graham
Kay Law met Graham only once, but she, too, remembers his eyes.
Law is a California native and lives in that state now. She was an Albuquerque resident in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and her son Brian Nixon is an assistant pastor at Calvary Albuquerque church, where he oversees publishing and education.
Kay Law met Graham only once, but she, too, remembers his eyes.
Law is a California native and lives in that state now. She was an Albuquerque resident in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and her son Brian Nixon is an assistant pastor at Calvary Albuquerque church, where he oversees publishing and education.
Feb 21, 2018: Kevin Eckstrom: Religion News Service: ‘Just As I Am’ was Billy Graham’s signature hymn
For evangelist Billy Graham, it all came down to the “invitation,” the climactic point at the end of his crusades when he invited people to leave their seats and “make a decision for Christ.”
Billy Graham with Johnny and June Cash at the Asheville, N.C., Billy Graham Crusade (date unknown). RNS file photo
And it wouldn’t be a Billy Graham invitation without “Just As I Am,” the slow-moving, soul-moving hymn that accompanied millions down the aisle and became Graham’s signature anthem and title of his 1997 autobiograph
For evangelist Billy Graham, it all came down to the “invitation,” the climactic point at the end of his crusades when he invited people to leave their seats and “make a decision for Christ.”
Billy Graham with Johnny and June Cash at the Asheville, N.C., Billy Graham Crusade (date unknown). RNS file photo
And it wouldn’t be a Billy Graham invitation without “Just As I Am,” the slow-moving, soul-moving hymn that accompanied millions down the aisle and became Graham’s signature anthem and title of his 1997 autobiograph
Dec 26, 2015: Christianity Today: Billy Graham reminds Christians: Don't forget Jesus Christ after Christmas
However, American evangelist Billy Graham believes it is very important to honour the Saviour not just once a year but every day throughout the year.
However, American evangelist Billy Graham believes it is very important to honour the Saviour not just once a year but every day throughout the year.
June 9, 2015: CNBC: Billy Graham churches dump Well Fargo over same-sex ad
Over the weekend, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's president and CEO, Franklin Graham (Billy's son), posted on Facebook that the organization was moving its accounts from Wells Fargo to another bank because its ad featured members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. He called on Christians to boycott the corporation as well as to stop patronizing other companies that supported gay rights through marketing.
Over the weekend, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's president and CEO, Franklin Graham (Billy's son), posted on Facebook that the organization was moving its accounts from Wells Fargo to another bank because its ad featured members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. He called on Christians to boycott the corporation as well as to stop patronizing other companies that supported gay rights through marketing.
Apr 3, 2015: WRAL: Lawmakers say Graham should be in Statuary Hall
North Carolina lawmakers want to make the Rev. Billy Graham a permanent fixture in Congress.
North Carolina lawmakers want to make the Rev. Billy Graham a permanent fixture in Congress.
Jan 31, 2015: Billy Graham: Park City Daily News: Every culture has some kind of religion
Oct 19, 2014: Pastoral Meanderings: Billy Graham -- Secret Anglican???
Graham told one reporter that if he was starting over again he would be ‘an evangelical Anglican’
Graham told one reporter that if he was starting over again he would be ‘an evangelical Anglican’
Oct 10, 2014: Gospel Coalition: A Historian’s New Interpretive Study of Billy Graham and American Culture
I just received my copy of America’s Pastor: Billy Graham and the Shaping of a Nation (Belknap/Harvard, 2014) by Grant Wacker, Gilbert T. Rowe Professor of Christian History at Duke University Divinity School.
I just received my copy of America’s Pastor: Billy Graham and the Shaping of a Nation (Belknap/Harvard, 2014) by Grant Wacker, Gilbert T. Rowe Professor of Christian History at Duke University Divinity School.
Sept 1, 2014: Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: A Poem from U2′s Bono to Billy Graham
As Irish rock band U2 makes headlines with its groundbreaking album release, visitors to the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina, have the chance to check out a lesser-known piece of history from the band’s famous frontman, Bono.
As Irish rock band U2 makes headlines with its groundbreaking album release, visitors to the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina, have the chance to check out a lesser-known piece of history from the band’s famous frontman, Bono.
Aug 16, 2014: Nehanda Radio: Top 10 richest pastors in the world
8. Billy Graham: American evangelical Christian evangelist, William Franklin “Billy” Graham, Jr., has a net worth of $25 million.
The Southern Baptist evangelist rose to celebrity status as his sermons started getting broadcast on radio and television. Graham was born on a dairy farm near Charlotte, North Carolina in 1918, he has conducted many evangelistic crusades since 1948. He is now a world renowned televangelist raking in millions of dollars.
8. Billy Graham: American evangelical Christian evangelist, William Franklin “Billy” Graham, Jr., has a net worth of $25 million.
The Southern Baptist evangelist rose to celebrity status as his sermons started getting broadcast on radio and television. Graham was born on a dairy farm near Charlotte, North Carolina in 1918, he has conducted many evangelistic crusades since 1948. He is now a world renowned televangelist raking in millions of dollars.
May 20, 2014: Charisma: Billy Graham's Grandson Exits the Gospel Coalition
Tullian Tchividjian, author and senior pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida—and the grandson of Billy and Ruth Graham—on Tuesday announced his departure from his contributor role at the Gospel Coalition.
Tullian Tchividjian, author and senior pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida—and the grandson of Billy and Ruth Graham—on Tuesday announced his departure from his contributor role at the Gospel Coalition.
Nov 7, 2013
Billy Graham delivers a powerful gospel message to America about the Cross. This is truly a beautiful gospel message and timely for the end time harvest prior to the Tribulation. I never get tired of hearing Christ's sacrifice for all mankind.
Nov 7, 2013: Frank Schaeffer: Why Is Christianity Today Ignoring Billy Graham’s End-Times Prophecy?
“For those that weren’t aware, Billy Graham is prophesying the end-times and the second coming of Jesus Christ. This is the kind of crazy, magical thinking that Frank Schaeffer so masterfully portrays in his new novel, And God Said, Billy! and his memoir Crazy For God.”
“For those that weren’t aware, Billy Graham is prophesying the end-times and the second coming of Jesus Christ. This is the kind of crazy, magical thinking that Frank Schaeffer so masterfully portrays in his new novel, And God Said, Billy! and his memoir Crazy For God.”
April 25, 2010: President Barack Obama visited Graham at his home in Montreat, North Carolina, where they "had a private prayer"
May 31, 2007: The $27 million Billy Graham Library was officially dedicated in Charlotte. Former presidents Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, and Bill Clinton appeared to celebrate with Graham.
July 9, 2006: Graham spoke at the Metro Maryland Franklin Graham Festival, held in Baltimore, Maryland, at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
March 11–12, 2006: Graham held the "Festival of Hope" with his son, Franklin Graham in New Orleans, which was recovering from Hurricane Katrina.
June 24–26, 2005: Graham began what he said would be his last North American crusade: three days at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in the borough of Queens, New York City.
September 14, 2001: Three days after the World Trade Center attacks, Graham was invited to lead a service at Washington National Cathedral; the service was attended by President George W. Bush and past and present leaders.
“God offers all of us a gift tonight. It’s something you can’t work for. It’s something you can’t buy. ... It’s spiritual water. It’s forgiveness of all your sins because of the cross and the resurrection,” Billy Graham said at a 1993 Crusade in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
September 22, 1991: Graham held his largest event in North America on the Great Lawn of Manhattan's Central Park. City officials estimated that more than 250,000 were in attendance.
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October 15, 1989: Graham received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was the only person functioning as a minister who received a star in that capacity.
December 16, 1963: U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson, who was impressed by the way Graham had praised the work of his great-grandfather, George Washington Baines, invited Graham to the White House to receive spiritual counseling.
September 13-21, 1947: The first Billy Graham Crusade, held at the Civic Auditorium in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was attended by 6,000 people.
Jan 2, 1944: Graham Launched a new radio program still called Songs in the Night. Graham recruited the bass-baritone George Beverly Shea as his director of radio ministry. |
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